“Abiding in Christ” is a popular sermon topic, but do we really understand what abide means and how to stay connected to Jesus when we are going through a struggle or challenge? I think it is important to start with definitions to ensure everyone begins on the same page. What does “abide” and “in Christ” mean according to the dictionary and the Bible?
- Abide means to remain, to reside, to live up to a promise, to submit to and carry out, in the company of, to join as with the other.
- In Christ means to have a new legal standing, a new relational orientation.
Galatians 3:26-29 gives us insight into the phrase “in Christ” and what it means.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Paul is speaking to the Christians in Galatia, reminding them that when they placed their faith in Jesus, they were given a new identity. By being baptized into Christ, they were identified with Christ, having left their old sinful nature and fully embracing the new life in Christ.
One of the most preached and taught messages on abiding in Christ is John 15:4-9. While I was preparing a teaching message on these scriptures, God showed me three interwoven themes: Connection, Dependency and Remain.
Connection – Abiding in Him is a life-giving connection with Jesus. A branch is connected to the vine, and the vine is connected to the branch. This connection is a union—a mutual connection. We abide in Christ, and He abides in us (John 15:4). If there is no connection, there is no life and no fruit.
Dependency – While the connection is mutual, dependency is not reciprocal. The branch is dependent on the vine, but the vine is not dependent on the branch. The branch gets its life and power from the vine. Without the vine, the branch is useless, lifeless, and powerless. Sap flows from the vine to the branch, supplying it with water, minerals and nutrients that make it grow. As believers, we receive the “sap” of Christ’s grace through our life-giving connection to Him. We are completely dependent upon Jesus for everything that counts as spiritual fruit (John 15:4) and apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Remain – Remain means to exist, stay where you are, endure, carry on, persist, prevail. In this case, it simply means that we go on trusting in, depending on, and never stop believing in Jesus. To abide in Jesus is to persevere in Him and His teachings. This is what Jesus meant in John 8:31-32 when He said, “if you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
To abide means to be united (connected) with Jesus, to rely (depend) on Jesus, and to continue (remain) to exist with Jesus. Abiding in Christ, means you also know your identity in Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus came to earth to set you free from sin and sickness, thus restoring a right relationship with the Father. Knowing the truth will set you free from bondage and sickness.
I want to leave you with 1 John 4:17: “Love has been perfected among us in this; that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in the world.” Another way of saying this scripture is to personalize it, “As Jesus is, so am I.” Jesus does not have sickness or pain in His body and neither do you.
Stay connected with Jesus, rely on Him, remain in Him, and fully embrace your new life in Christ!
~Donna Jones